Tombstone Tuesday-William P. & Alma I. (Brown) Linn

William P & Alma I (Brown) Linn, North Grove Cemetery, Celina, Ohio (2024 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of William P. and Alma I. (Brown) Linn, located in Ward 22, row 7, North Grove Cemetery, Celina, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

LINN
William P.
Feb. 19, 1908
June 4, 1993
Alma I.
(Brown)
April 5, 1913
Sep 18, 2004

Their tombstone is also engraved with the name surname Gardner, their daughter Norma Jean and her husband Robert L.

William Petter Linn was born in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, on 19 February 1908, the son of Henry (1871-1934) and Margaret (Deitsch) (1877-1964) Linn. [1] William’s middle name is spelled Petter on both his county birth record and his Draft Registration card.

In 1910 William Linn, age 2 years, was enumerated with his parents and siblings in Liberty Township, Mercer County. His siblings in 1910 were [Carl] John, 13; Edward, 11; Andy, 9; Valentine, 7; Urban, 6; Paul, 6; and [Eda] Caroline, 1 month. [2]

In 1930, William and three of his siblings, Valentine, Urban, and Hilda, still lived at home with their parents.

William Linn married Alma Brown on 3 March 1934 in Mercer County, married by Rev. Alfred J.A. Wahl. According to their marriage record, William was a farmer and Alma was a housekeeper. [3]

Alma Irene Brown was born in Butler Township, Mercer County, Ohio, on 5 April 1913, the daughter of Rie (1886-1933) and Ethel (Snider) (1896-1989) Brown. [3] 

The Rie Brown family in 1920: Rie, 34; Ethel, 24; and Alma, 6. Rie Brown was a farmer. [4] By 1930 the Rie Brown family had grown to included four children: Alma J, 17; Wanda M, 8; Donald N, 6; and Paul, 2. [5]

William and Irene married in 1934 and by 1940 they had one child, Norma Jean, age 5. [6]

In 1950 William, Alma, and their daughter Norma Jean resided in rural Washington Township, on the Washington-Butler Township line. William’s occupation was production line worker in the farm machinery industry, which was likely at New Idea. [7]

William Linn died in the Mercer County Community Hospital, Coldwater, Ohio, on 4 June 1993, aged 85.

His widow Alma Irene (Brown) Linn died at the Celina Manor Nursing Home on 18 September 2004, aged 91. She was survived by her daughter, Norma Jean (Robert) Gardner, Celina; two brothers, Don Brown of New Knoxville and Paul Brown of Celina; a sister, Wanda Shively, St. Marys; six grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

[1] “Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003,” Mercer, Liberty Births, William Petter Linn, 19 Feb 1908; FamilySearch.org.  

[2] 1910 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Liberty, ED 119, p.9A, dwelling 156, family 157, Henry Linn; Ancestry.com.

[3] Mercer County Marriages [Ohio], 1920-1947, p.160, William Linn & Alma Irene Brown, 3 Mar 1934; Ancestry.com.

[4] 1920 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Butler, Ed 125, p.11B, dwelling 222, family 225, Rie Brown; Ancestry.com.

[5] 1930 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Washington, ED 27, p.4A, dwelling 75, family 75, Ria Brown [sic]; Ancestry.com.

[6] 1940 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Washington, ED 54-30, p.3A, household 45, William Linn; Ancestry.com.

[7] 1950 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Washington, ED 54-43, p.18, line 27, William P Linn; Ancestry.com.

1950 Census Enumerator Notes

I am still focused on the 1950 Census and the additional information and details we can learn from it.

Some of the more interesting things about the 1950 Census are the enumerators’ notes.

Census takers were instructed and encouraged to make notes on the census forms. Not all enumerators made notes, but others made quite a few. Notes about all sorts of things that may provide new and good information for your family history. Their notes provided details about the location of homes, residences, vacant homes, and farms, who did the farming, their livestock, dates of residency, illnesses and death, some editorial comments, and more.

Enumerator notes were written most often in the middle or bottom of the form, but sometimes at the top. Their notes do not correspond to the individual’s census line number, but have a different number, like a footnote, enclosed in a half square. Note numbers start with number 1 on each page.

Enumerator note numbers

Below are some examples of 1950 Census enumerator notes from our area.  

In Rockford, this enumerator detailed the visitation order and the location of residences, some of which were second floor apartments:

  • Block 9 Going from West to East on Walnut.
  • Block 9 Corner of Walnut and Franklin (SW Corner).
  • over pool room on west side of Main St. going south from Columbia.
  • House at alley behind Callahans restaurant, West side of Main between Columbia & Market Sts.
  • Apt over Truway Products Co on West side of Main St between Columbia and Market Sts.
  • Apt over Post Office corner Main and Market, SW corner.

1950 Census, Rockford

Sometimes the enumerator noted directions in rural areas:

  • Going East on rt. 33 from east corporation.
  • 1st house in Mercer going East.
  • Going North on 127 from rt. 33.
  • Going West from 127 on 1st road N. of 33.

1950 Census notes

They noted vacant houses:

  • Start at school going west on 707–Too dilapidated to live [house listed as vacant].
  • Vacant house–is in the process of remodeling.

 

The enumerators in Van Wert County, particularly in Hoaglin, Jennings, and Tully Townships, made some detailed notes about the farms, who did the farming, and some other farm information:

  • His house is on a farm but occupied by non-farm people; This household is listed out of order.
  • This house is located on 20 acres [and] is farmed by Lloyd Poling, 1st house West of Hoaglin township.
  • Information given by neighbor who farms land. He is located in Ridge Township, 1½ miles West.
  • This house is located on 100 acres and is farmed by Burly Stucky, her son, who lives across the road.
  • The people occupy the house only. The land 40 acres is farmed by Mr. Fairst, who lives in 3rd house on right proceeding West along County Line Road from there going in Paulding County.
  • This farm of 80 acres is farmed by Mr. Nobel Thomas of Paulding County, who has 7 acres. Mrs. Bechtal has only 10 acres.

1950 Census, Tully Township

Enumerators in Van Wert County seemed to be particularly fond of chickens:

  • Lives on a small farm [and] feeds a few chickens and has a cow by which she makes a living.
  • This man lives in house and rents all land (120 acres) out. He has no livestock, only a few chickens. The land is farmed by Floyd’s father.
  • These people have chickens.

 

Some other interesting enumerator notes from our area:

  • I gather this person stays in the house only a few months of the year and with her daughter in another county when not at home.
  • Information that an aged lady lives here throughout the summer.
  • [information] Given by other person; owner in California.
  • This person [was] enumerated in household of Dr. L.M. Otis, Celina, Ohio.
  • All acreage rented out.
  • This person lodges in town at the residence of Basil Shaffer, Rockford, O, but was not enumerated there.
  • Gerald Hartel is moving in here but his household was taken in at Van Wert, O.
  • This column no.4 is a son by adoption.
  • Mary has had infantile paralysis and is completely helpless.
  • Kline has her furniture in the house, but been in another home for 8 months due to illness, and being enumerated in Van Wert, O.
  • This house has been vacant for nearly a year, is owned by Lewis Riley.
  • [redacted] is mentally deficient.
  • Bessie is feeble minded and this information was received from a neighbor who farms her farm.
  • In Florida and information given by neighbor.
  • These people live in Rockford more than half the time and were enumerated there.

1950 Census notes, Rockford

One enumerator questioned the amount of reported earnings told to him/her:

  • This figure seems too low since he owns several farms.

1950 Census enumerator notes

Being a census taker was probably sometimes a difficult job:

  • Insisted he had informed brother at his residence to enumerate him.

 

Some people wanted no part in answering what they considered personal and economic census questions:

  • Refused to give information on item 20 dwelling unit side. “None of their Damn business.” Information furnished by wife.

1950 Census

As you look through the 1950 Census, be sure to look for enumerator notes. They are interesting and informative and may give you some additional information about individuals and life in 1950. 

Census Taker-A Job You Can Count On

Last Sunday I gave a talk at the Mercer County Chapter OGS about the 1950 U.S. Census. There is a lot of interesting information contained in the 1950 census, if you haven’t looked at it already. I enjoy browsing through it, even browsing areas where I have no connections. I usually browse through it on Ancestry.com, and here are two websites where you can view the census images for free, Official 1950 Census Website and 1950 U.S. Census on FamilySearch.org.

The first U.S. Census was taken in 1790. I use census records more than any other record group for my research. My favorite census is the 1900 Census, but I feel a real connection to the 1950 Census. Even though I was not born by 1950 and was not enumerated in that census, I remember the 1950s very well. As I read through the 1950 Census, I see the names of many people I remember and knew—relatives, neighbors, friends, fellow church members. Looking through the 1950 census brings back a lot of memories, memories of a simpler time. A carefree time for a young child.

At last Sunday’s meeting I was asked about the census takers, sometimes called enumerators. It must have been an interesting, but challenging and difficult job.

1950 Census taker

The first censuses (1790-1870) were conducted by U.S. Marshals and their assistants. They were replaced by specially appointed and trained census takers in 1880.

After a 72-year waiting period, the 1950 Census was released 1 April 2022. The 1950 census was the last time census takers would visit homes to gather and record information for the census.

In 1950, it appears the census takers lived in the same township or town they enumerated, at least in our area of the country. Those areas are called Enumeration Districts.

An Enumeration District (ED) is the area a census taker could cover in 2 weeks in an urban area, and 4 weeks in a rural area. An example of an ED number is ED 54-1, Mercer County, Black Creek Township. The first number being the county number (54 = Mercer County), the second number being a designated area within the county (1 = Black Creek).

Some of the census takers in our area in 1950:
Black Creek Twp (54-1): Lois Koch
Dublin Twp (ED 54-11): Betty R. Snyder & W. Earl Lee
Dublin Twp (ED 4-12): Lenore Watts
Liberty Twp, Mercer Co. (ED 54-33): Rosalie E. Brehm
Liberty Twp, Mercer Co. (ED 54-32): Bernice Fetters
Rockford Village (ED 54-9 & 54-10): Verna Cook
Willshire Village (ED 81-38): Mrs. Dortha Brubaker
Willshire Twp (ED 81-10): Paul E. Merkle
Hopewell Twp (Ed 54-22): Pauline Wilson
Celina (ED 54-23): Mary Jane Laub
Celina (ED 54-24): Dorothea Davis
Celina (ED 54-25 & ED 54-26): Virginia L. Curry
Celina (ED 54-27): Lela D. Short
Celina (ED 54-28): Raymond J. Fischer
Celina (ED 54-29): Alberta M. Brandon
Jefferson Twp (ED 54-30): William P. Spriggs
Jefferson Twp (ED 54-31): ? Spriggs & ? Hall

Today, a little about the job of those 1950 census takers, taken from the Enumerator’s Reference Manual, 1950 Census of the United States, which is available to browse online at 1950 Enumerator’s Reference Manual

1950 Enumerator Reference Manual

Census takers had Crew Leaders, the representatives of the District Supervisor and the liaisons between the local enumerators and the District Supervisor.

140,000 census takers were employed to enumerate the 1950 census. Their instructions came from a large reference manual. They carried identification cards to show when they introduced themselves at a residence.

Enumerators were officially notified of their appointment with an official form which described the terms, rates of compensation, and conditions of their employment. They had to take an oath of office.

Census takers were usually paid on a piece-price rate basis, but hourly rates were occasionally paid. They were paid upon the completion of their assigned ED. They also received a fee for satisfactorily completing their training.

They were forbidden to communicate any information obtained from their official Census duties to any person who was not a sworn Census employee. Information could be discussed with other Census enumerators only if it was an official necessity. They were to make sure the completed forms were not left or placed where others could see or access them. Doing any of those things could result in a fine as much as $1000 and imprisonment up to 2 years. They could be prosecuted for disclosures even after their Census Bureau employment had ended.

The census takers were not to disclose the population of their area. No one was allowed to accompany or assist them with their census duties, except other census officials. They were allowed to receive translation assistance with people who did not speak English.

They were not allowed to make up people or names or make untruthful statements. 

Each enumerator was assigned one enumeration district and received one portfolio, which contained all the material they needed, including a map and written description of their ED boundaries. Their portfolios and census sheets were large, much larger than the 8 ½ x 11-inch sheets I thought they were.

1950 Census taker

In urban areas, they were to canvass one block at a time, beginning at a corner and proceeding clockwise around the block until back at the starting point, not crossing the street, checking every court, alley, and passageway in the block.

In rural areas enumerators were to go road by road, in a systematic manner. In rural areas, they were instructed to ask questions at the end of each interview, such as who the neighbors were, where they lived, if there were tracts of land where no one lived, all to ensure complete coverage of their ED.

They were instructed to not discuss politics, controversial matters, charitable work, special causes, or leave cards or literature, or anything else not directly related to the enumeration.

For the interview, enumerators could ask to enter the residence and sit down, if possible. If there were visitors, they were to suggest that the interview be conducted in private, because of the confidential information.

They were to ask the questions exactly as they were worded, and to avoid rephrasing the question to get an answer they thought would apply. “Do not make it easy for the respondent by suggesting answer…Should any person object to answering any question, explain that the information is strictly confidential and will not be available to anyone except sworn Census employees, and used only for statistical purposes.”

1950 Census enumerator

It is no surprise that the enumerators enumerated themselves with their families, giving their occupation as census taker or enumerator, employed by the government.

What a job being a census taker must have been, trying to visit every household in your ED, sometimes finding no one is home, some people reluctant to answer questions, lugging that large binder around, and probably other situations we cannot imagine.   

Tombstone Tuesday-Old Union Township Cemetery, Kalida, Ohio

This past Saturday several members of the Lima Chapter NSDAR (National Society Daughters of the American Revolution) spent the afternoon doing some clean-up at the Old Union Township Cemetery, the Chapter’s project for their annual Day of Service. It was a nice fall day to rake leaves and pick up sticks.

Old Union Township Cemetery, Kalida, Ohio

Old Union Township Cemetery, Kalida, Ohio

Old Union Township Cemetery, Kalida, Ohio

Old Union Township Cemetery, aka Kalida Pioneer Cemetery, dates back to the 1840s, and was abandoned about 60 years ago. It had been forgotten and overgrown until Kalida, Ohio, resident Abby Schroeder began the cleanup and restoration process and became the project manager. The one-acre cemetery is located behind some homes and is on the edge of Plum Creek.

Old Union Township Cemetery, Kalida, Ohio

Old Union Township Cemetery, Kalida, Ohio

Some tombstones may be on the banks of Plum Creek

Old Union Township Cemetery, Kalida, Ohio

Approximately 80 individuals are buried in Old Union Township Cemetery, but the only tombstone standing a couple years ago was the broken headstone of Nancy C. (Branch) Lee (1800-1855), the daughter of Revolutionary War Soldier Zephaniah Branch. Branch served in the Vermont Militia under the command of Capt. Samuel Robinson, Jr., serving from 1 January 1777 to December 1780.   

Alice Bassett (1850-1853), Nancy (Branch) Lee (1800-1855), Ira Lee (1795-1851), Old Union Township Cemetery, Kalida, Ohio

Nancy Lee is a Real Daughter, the daughter of a Revolutionary War soldier.

Nancy (Branch) Lee (1800-1855), Old Union Township Cemetery, Kalida, Ohio

Nancy’s husband, Ira Lee (1795-1851), is also buried in the cemetery. Ira was a War of 1812 veteran.

Last year the Lima Chapter NSDAR became a sponsoring organization for the restoration project and helped secure a DAR Historic Preservation Grant for repairs to the burial ground. The grant money has allowed for the headstones of Nancy Lee and her husband Ira Lee to be reset and placed on a concrete base. In addition, the Veterans Administration provided a new headstone for Ira Lee.

Abby is working to identify as many burials as possible, by locating and cleaning headstones and research. She is piecing broken tombstones together, somewhat like putting a jigsaw puzzle together, and placing them on palates, with plans to eventually repair and reset them in their original locations if possible. A number of headstones and footstones have been recovered and several tombstones have been reset in the ground.

Old Union Township Cemetery, Kalida, Ohio

Old Union Township Cemetery, Kalida, Ohio

Old Union Township Cemetery, Kalida, Ohio

A big thank you to Abby, for all her hard work and dedication to this historic preservation project to restore this historic cemetery and honor the memory of those early settlers of the Kalida community.

Food Preferences and a Swedish Tea Ring

A few weeks ago, my Aunt Esther and I talked about fresh garden tomatoes and how tasty they are. I season my fresh-sliced tomatoes differently than Joe does and I asked my aunt what she puts on her tomato slices. I was surprised when she said salt, pepper, and sugar. That’s the same way I eat sliced tomatoes! The way we ate them at home as I grew up, the way my mom served them. And I bet Grandma and Grandpa Schumm did the same. Maybe even their parents as well. Our preference for seasoning tomatoes has been passed down for several generations.

Speaking of tomatoes, one of my favorite sandwiches is a BLT (bacon, lettuce & tomato), but I add a fried egg to the sandwich. I guess you would call that a BELT. Restaurants that also serve breakfast will add the egg to the sandwich if I ask.     

We undoubtedly get most of our food preferences from the food we ate growing up, at home and at school. Some of the not-so-common food we ate at our house: 

We had radish sandwiches–radish slices with salt and pepper on butter bread. We often ate an apple with our popcorn. Salt is good on a raw apple. At school they served peanut butter sandwiches with mac & cheese and with chili soup, food pairings that Joe and I both still like.

A favorite meal by Grandma Miller was fried pork chops, fried potatoes (fried in a cast iron skillet), and stewed tomatoes. Joe said his mom also made this same meal.

Joe likes some more unusual pairings: peanut butter & mayonnaise sandwich; peanut butter & bologna sandwich; bread, butter & catsup sandwich; syrup on fried potatoes, and syrup on tuna noodle casserole. Actually, syrup on tuna noodle casserole is pretty good.

We both like anchovies on our pizza and Cesar Salad. Two people who like anchovies were destined to be together.

My dad and I really liked ice cream and we came up with some unique toppings. Our favorite was vanilla ice cream topped with crunchy peanut butter and orange marmalade. He added chocolate syrup to that. Another good ice cream topping was Coco Puffs, especially when the ice cream softens a little so you can mix the Coco Puffs in.  

Times were hard during the depression. My dad put milk and sugar on popcorn for breakfast. He packed potato sandwiches for his school lunch. Joe’s mom put lard on bread in place of butter.  

Awhile back I wrote about church cookbook recipes and mentioned that my Aunt Kate showed me how to make a Swedish Tea Ring when I was a young girl.

A reader asked about the tea ring recipe and here it is. Making the pastry takes a little work but is well worth the effort.

Swedish Tea Ring

Mix together:
1 cup lukewarm milk
½ cup sugar
1 tsp. salt

Crumble 2 cakes of compressed yeast into the mixture and stir until the yeast is dissolved.

Stir in 2 eggs, ½ cup soft shortening, 4½-5 cups flour, adding the flour in 2 additions, using the amount necessary to make the dough easy to handle. Mix first with a spoon, then with your hands.

Turn onto lightly floured board and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Round up into a greased bowl, greased side up. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in warm place (85 degrees) until double in size, about 1½ hours. Punch down and let rise again, until almost double, about 30 minutes.   

After the second rising, roll and shape the dough into an oblong, about 9” x 18.”

Spread with 2 Tbs. softened butter and sprinkle with ½ cup sugar, 2 tsp. cinnamon, and ½ cup of raisins.

Roll up tightly, beginning at the wide side, making a long roll. Seal well by pinching the long edges of the roll together.

Rolling Swedish Tea Ring dough.

Place the roll on a lightly greased baking sheet, sealed edge down. Shape the roll into a ring and join and seal the ends of the ring together.

With a scissors, make cuts 2/3 of the way through the ring at 1” intervals. Turn each section on its side.

Cover and let rise until double in bulk (35-40 min). Bake at 375 degrees, 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and completely baked through.

While still warm, drizzle a powdered sugar glaze over the ring and decorate with nuts and cherries.

Swedish Tea Ring

Best eaten warm! With coffee.

To be clear, I have not made a Swedish Tea Ring for many years, but after reading through the recipe again, I am thinking about making it for the holidays again.

Maybe I’ll make the Swedish Tea Ring after I master another holiday favorite–my mom’s delicious Rum Cake.